New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka 2nd ODI: Date, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

New Zealand will be looking to take a 2-0 lead in their their seven-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Hamilton on Thursday.

Despite a superb century from the ageless Mahela Jayawardene, the Black Caps fought back to sneak home by three wickets in the opening game in Christchurch on Sunday.

Both sides will be finalising plans and looking to get their players into top form ahead of the World Cup, which is now just a month away.

Let's see how they shape up ahead of Thursday's day/night clash at Seddon Park.

Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton

Date: Thursday 15 January 2015

Start time: 2 p.m. local time/1 a.m. GMT

Live on: CSN (Sri Lanka), TVNZ (New Zealand), Sky Sports (UK).

Weather: According to Accuweather, it should be dry and bright for most of the day before clouding over later. Temperatures will reach a high of 27 degrees C.

Overview

New Zealand have become one of the hardest sides to beat in both Test and 50-over cricket. In their last 14 ODIs the Black Caps have lost just four times.

Crucially, they've got into the habit of winning close games. Nowhere was this more visible than in the series opener against Sri Lanka.

Set a potentially tricky target of 219 in testing conditions, the home side looked in trouble with the score at 101-5.

Showing a new level of maturity, Corey Anderson, with help from Luke Ronchi and Nathan McCullum steered New Zealand over the line.

"

Impressive from the @BLACKCAPS. Keep on their momentum. Great batting from @coreyanderson78, B McCullum and @MahelaJay . #letsgogametwo

— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) January 11, 2015"

Kane Williamson, has been ruled out of Thursday's match with a shoulder injury, report New Zealand Cricket.

Despite his absence, the Kiwi top-order contains a host of attacking weapons and scoring runs shouldn't be a problem.

Skipper Brendon McCullum looked in great touch in the series opener, smashing 51 from just 22 balls. Ross Taylor is also set to be available after missing the first ODI.

Tom Latham and Grant Elliott will continue to battle for what is likely to be a single batting spot in the World Cup line-up.

Coach Mike Hesson told Stuff.co.nz, “We won't be jumping to any conclusions. Both Grant and Tom will get plenty of opportunities in the next month.”

The New Zealand seamers made the most of the sporting conditions on offer at the Hagley Oval. Chief among them was young quickie Adam Milne, who combined 90 mph speed with prodigious seam movement. He has the potential to become one of the stars of the forthcoming World Cup.

Tim Southee is again expected to miss out with what batting coach Craig McMillan described before the first ODI as “a slight hammy niggle.”

The only player to stand up to the challenge posed by the New Zealand pace attack in Christchurch was Mahela Jayawardene. While the 37-year-old was compiling an 18th ODI century, the rest of the Sri Lankan batsmen could only manage a top score of 23 between them.

Much will rest on the big four of Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews if they're to tie the series. Despite a failure at the Hagley Oval, Dimuth Karunaratne is likely to be given another go at the top of the order.

The Sri Lankan bowling shaped up pretty well in Christchurch. The pacemen will have another opportunity to stake a claim for a World Cup place with Lasith Malinga not expected to return until the latter stages of the series.

Key Players

New Zealand

Corey Anderson has always had the shots. In Christchurch he showed that he had the temperament to go with them.

The big all-rounder is hugely talented and is one of a number of New Zealand batsmen who could win the game on his own.

Keep an eye out too for Adam Milne who is developing into a very dangerous bowler.

Sri Lanka

As has so often been the case for Sri Lanka, much will rest on the shoulders of Kumar Sangakkara. He'll be hoping to take his fine recent Test form into the 50-over game.

Mahela Jaywardene batted superbly in Christchurch and only a foolish judge would bet against him repeating the trick on Thursday.

Squads

New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori
 

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Dimuth Karunaratne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne.

Ground Info

New Zealand have a good record at Seddon Park. In 23 ODIs played there, the home side have won 13, lost eight with two no-results.